Girls' orphanage of the Israelite Women's Association

The building at Theobald-Christ-Straße 21 (formerly Theobaldstraße) was home to the Israelite Women's Association girls' orphanage founded in 1852. The institution was run by women's rights activist Bertha Pappenheim (1859-1936) for ten years from 1895. Around 1900, there were around 25 to 30 young women living there who were either half or full orphans; in some cases, their parents were unable to look after their children. Bertha Pappenheim attached great importance to the observance of religious laws and a good education, which was intended to prepare the young people for a career, "useful civic activity" and financial independence. The Israelite Girls' Orphanage was considered modern and exemplary in socio-pedagogical circles. From 1902, the institution cooperated with the Centrale für private Fürsorge founded by the Frankfurt entrepreneur and social reformer Wilhelm Merton (1848-1916) and its training courses for social professions. The girls' orphanage was closed in April 1931 and the foster children were placed in other institutions.